Just for Ruth: a chicken coup to go with the book

When I was a kid I always used to be slightly embarressed that my father was capable of over engineering most things. For example, we couldn't just have a rubbish bin - it had to be a grit bin which was one of the products that we manufactured in the family firm. There was a long list of other DIY projects that were highly specified and in the event more than fit for purpose.

Still it was a wonder to have a DIY Dad who can turn his hand to most things and has served me well in my home improvements over the years. In the true tradition of my father I think we've now got an over engineered chicken run. It will however last for a long time and there's no skimping on the space or the appearance. Look and and see!

Now the coup is ready I'd better get on with the next bit of my country life dream. One of my favourite leaving presents from my dear friend Ruth in the UK was a book about keeping chickens. This has been my inspiration for some time and now we have a home in which to put the chickens it's time I started learning what I'm suposed to do with these feathered things.

Next step is to get a house for nesting and some chooks and we'll soon be scrambling our own eggs for breakfast - how amazing is that!